This ICR is for activities related to
the implementation of the EPA's 1999 regional haze rule, for the
time period between 2012 and 2015, and renews the previous ICR. The
regional haze rule, as authorized by sections 169A and 169B of the
Clean Air Act (CAA), requires states to develop implementation
plans to protect visibility in 156 federally-protected Class I
areas. Tribes may choose to develop implementation plans. For this
time period, states will be completing their implementation plans
to comply with the rule. Before any agency, department, or
instrumentality of the federal government engages in, supports in
any way, provides financial assistance for, licenses, permits, or
approves any activity, that agency has the affirmative
responsibility to ensure that such action conforms to the State
Implementation Plan (SIP) required under the regional haze rule.
Section 176(c) of the CAA requires that all Federal actions conform
with the SIP requirements. Depending on the type of action, the
federal entities must collect information themselves, hire
consultants to collect the information or require
applicants/sponsors of the federal action to provide the
information.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.